Flames 2013 Draft Discussion

[Goodlad]

It's funny that any other year I would have been ecstatic to have the Flames draft a player as good as Barkov/Lindholm/Monahan/Nichushkin. Any one of them would instantly be our best prospect with the highest upside by a fair margin. It was just that brief hope of drafting a Jones/MacKinnon/Drouin that leaves me feeling slightly bitter.

It almost feels the same as the last three years where we were in the playoff hunt until the very end of the season, only to fall short.

[GoFlamesGo1989]

Drafting first would be cool but having us finish last like the Oilers would be just embarrassing. Thank god we won't have that stinking full house celebration at The saddledome like they did at Rexall for there 3 first overall picks Yeah my team sucks cheer lol!!!!!!

On the other hand I still think Monahan is who we draft. Has all the tools to be an NHL star.

[Mith]

The fact that Carolina and TB play eachother tonight means that one of those teams will jump a bit in points, no matter who tanks harder.

If we're really lucky they'll tank eachother in to a 0-0 shootout and it'll be a 3 point game. That would give us a solid chance at them leapfrogging us.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Mith

The fact that Carolina and TB play eachother tonight means that one of those teams will jump a bit in points, no matter who tanks harder.

If we're really lucky they'll tank eachother in to a 0-0 shootout and it'll be a 3 point game. That would give us a solid chance at them leapfrogging us.

Can only hope for a goaltending duel where the goaltenders keep the game close but does anyone really see the Hurricanes winning another game? What a tank job and the fans in North Carolina deserve better than that.

[Mith]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Can only hope for a goaltending duel where the goaltenders keep the game close but does anyone really see the Hurricanes winning another game? What a tank job and the fans in North Carolina deserve better than that.

I think TB pulls that game out if only because Stamkos can't help but put a goal in the net at some point.

Still, one can dream. A 3 point game in that, where TB wins the game, and a loss to nashville, and tonight potentially puts the flames in 3rd overall pick territory again (more likely 4th).

I hate thinking this way.

Beyond that, with Kipper gone this summer (Probably) and the flames likely to ship a few more pieces out at the draft to further dismantling, is there any doubt that this team is likely to be dead last next year? Yeah the kids will win a few but it's hard to believe these guys are going to be higher than they are now with Macdonald/Rookie in the net.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Mith

I think TB pulls that game out if only because Stamkos can't help but put a goal in the net at some point.

Still, one can dream. A 3 point game in that, where TB wins the game, and a loss to nashville, and tonight potentially puts the flames in 3rd overall pick territory again (more likely 4th).

I hate thinking this way.

Beyond that, with Kipper gone this summer (Probably) and the flames likely to ship a few more pieces out at the draft to further dismantling, is there any doubt that this team is likely to be dead last next year? Yeah the kids will win a few but it's hard to believe these guys are going to be higher than they are now with Macdonald/Rookie in the net.

They'll finish bottom 10, but not bottom 5. You have to have players check out to be that bad and we'll have so many kids fighting to stay up. The transaction page will be long next year with all the call ups and demotions

[Mith]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

They'll finish bottom 10, but not bottom 5. You have to have players check out to be that bad and we'll have so many kids fighting to stay up. The transaction page will be long next year with all the call ups and demotions

I agree the kids will be hungry to stick in the league, but at the same time, are Macdonald and Ramo or Berra really going to be able to cut it over 82 games and keep the team winning? I mean, you can count on kipper to steal a game here or there, and those 'stolen games' are not going to happen as often without him.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

They'll finish bottom 10, but not bottom 5. You have to have players check out to be that bad and we'll have so many kids fighting to stay up. The transaction page will be long next year with all the call ups and demotions

I think they will finish bottom 5. The kids will compete hard every game but in a 82 game schedule the lack of talent on top 6 and top 4 on D will lend to more losses. Teams are not going to take the flames as lightly as they have in the last 2 weeks. Flames will probably have the 2nd worst roster on paper to start the season.

With the talent on Tampa, Carolina, Colorado, Philadelphia and maybe even Edmonton they could easily improve. Florida, Nashville and flames will have a tough go at it.

The flames next year will probably have a worse record, but with the way the team plays in general will be more inspiring. No more "floater years".

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

I think they will finish bottom 5. The kids will compete hard every game but in a 82 game schedule the lack of talent on top 6 and top 4 on D will lend to more losses. Teams are not going to take the flames as lightly as they have in the last 2 weeks. Flames will probably have the 2nd worst roster on paper to start the season.

With the talent on Tampa, Carolina, Colorado, Philadelphia and maybe even Edmonton they could easily improve. Florida, Nashville and flames will have a tough go at it.

The flames next year will probably have a worse record, but with the way the team plays in general will be more inspiring. No more "floater years".

Agreed. And Florida should have a pretty decent roster when they are healthy as well.

I cannot imagine a scenario where we aren't bottom 3. Goaltending is just too big of a question mark. If one of the new guys turns into a stud, then awesome. But I am not expecting or counting on it.

Rookie goaltending + a young defence = lottery pick

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Agreed. And Florida should have a pretty decent roster when they are healthy as well.

I cannot imagine a scenario where we aren't bottom 3. Goaltending is just too big of a question mark. If one of the new guys turns into a stud, then awesome. But I am not expecting or counting on it.

Rookie goaltending + a young defence = lottery pick

Most of the time, this is the nature of rebuilding. You need to strap yourself in for about 3 seasons and accept the suckage. I know that there are exceptions, but they are just that. The worst thing to do is to try and rush it IMO.

I look forward to being an underdog and spoiler for the next few seasons, and while I don't like not winning, I have accepted that this will likely be the case until we can build through the draft by accumulating a few top 5 picks.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Most of the time, this is the nature of rebuilding. You need to strap yourself in for about 3 seasons and accept the suckage. I know that there are exceptions, but they are just that. The worst thing to do is to try and rush it IMO.

I look forward to being an underdog and spoiler for the next few seasons, and while I don't like not winning, I have accepted that this will likely be the case until we can build through the draft by accumulating a few top 5 picks.

Agree with everything - especially the bolded

[Ashasx]

It's unfortunate that the 2014 draft looks pretty weak in terms of elite talent.

I might say that Reinhart and Ekblad would be the only players to crack the top 8 in the 2013 draft.

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Agreed. And Florida should have a pretty decent roster when they are healthy as well.

I cannot imagine a scenario where we aren't bottom 3. Goaltending is just too big of a question mark. If one of the new guys turns into a stud, then awesome. But I am not expecting or counting on it.

Rookie goaltending + a young defence = lottery pick

You think? Id be shocked if the flames are bottom 3.

We didn't have goaltending this year, had some injuries, and few really over performed (Brody, Backlund when not hurt)

Next year should be better than this year. They clearly need top end talent still, but have the summer to get some.

[Hockey_Ninja]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

It's unfortunate that the 2014 draft looks pretty weak in terms of elite talent.

I might say that Reinhart and Ekblad would be the only players to crack the top 8 in the 2013 draft.

Would love to get Sam but we need a potential #1 D-man so I could see us taking Ekblad.

[djsFlames]

Lose out this road trip and we could still see Barkov.

And most importantly we can add to our thriving pool of B's. Barkov, Backlund, Brodie, Baertschi, Bouma, Butler, Byron.

But I'm afraid our chances at MacKinnon now fall to the lottery..

Which, undoubtedly, some undeserving b###-a## tankers are gonna receive.

[Henry Fool]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Lose out this road trip and we could still see Barkov.

And most importantly we can add to our thriving pool of B's. Barkov, Backlund, Brodie, Baertschi, Bouma, Butler, Byron.

But I'm afraid our chances at MacKinnon now fall to the lottery..

Which, undoubtedly, some undeserving b###-a## tankers are gonna receive.

Barkov is by no means guaranteed to go 4th although it often sounds that way, and if I had to guess who the fourth "elite" guy Feaster mentions is, I'd say it's him, because I don't see any reason why he'd be left out of the group if someone else outside the top-3 were to be included.

His injury might affect some rankings given that his team is in the finals and he could have had big playoffs not to mention dominated the U18, but I don't think that will affect how the teams evaluate him much. But a lot depends on teams' needs and what aspects of the game they value above others.

I usually go by the TSN rankings or something similar that brings together several different lists and views, but when the teams that actually have to commit to a player and make the big decisions, the results are always different than a list compiled by people who have no team whose interests to serve and whose decisions carry no real risk. Seems like there's a realistic chance of getting either Barkov or Lindholm - that's either one of the best Finnish forward prospects ever, you could argue the best if you just look at players his age, or one of the best Swedish forward prospects in many years.

[$ven27]

Originally Posted by Bend it like Bourgeois

You think? Id be shocked if the flames are bottom 3.

We didn't have goaltending this year, had some injuries, and few really over performed (Brody, Backlund when not hurt)

Next year should be better than this year. They clearly need top end talent still, but have the summer to get some.

How do you figure? We're in worse shape next season then we are this season. No Iggy, Kipper and Bouwmeester. I'll be stunned if we're not a bottom 3 team.

[Yoho]

Originally Posted by Hockey_Ninja

Would love to get Sam but we need a potential #1 D-man so I could see us taking Ekblad.

I would love to get a center like Sam and roll the dice on acquiring a high level D by some other means.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by $ven27

How do you figure? We're in worse shape next season then we are this season. No Iggy, Kipper and Bouwmeester. I'll be stunned if we're not a bottom 3 team.

It makes perfect sense looking at the potential roster for next season that without Iggy, Kipper and Bouwmeester that the Flames should be basement dwellers.

But what is missing from the equation is that three players do not make a team. And evidence has been provided since the deadline that the team can win and put in a consistent effort without them (or Tanguay, Glencross Etc with inuries).

Youth can bring a consistent effort night in and night out because they have something to prove. Stubborn in your face type of hockey that veterans weren't able to provide the last five years. Something that the franchise sorely lacked during that time span.

If I were to guess at the final standings for next season I would not be surprised at all if the Flames finished out of the Bottom five. The real tell as few have posted already will be goaltending. If Kipper stays there likely won't be much to worry about. If he goes we will have to hope that Ramo comes over and gives a consistent effort night in and night out. And that Berra/MacDonald can win a few games when called upon as well.

[$ven27]

Originally Posted by dammage79

It makes perfect sense looking at the potential roster for next season that without Iggy, Kipper and Bouwmeester that the Flames should be basement dwellers.

But what is missing from the equation is that three players do not make a team. And evidence has been provided since the deadline that the team can win and put in a consistent effort without them (or Tanguay, Glencross Etc with inuries).

Youth can bring a consistent effort night in and night out because they have something to prove. Stubborn in your face type of hockey that veterans weren't able to provide the last five years. Something that the franchise sorely lacked during that time span.

If I were to guess at the final standings for next season I would not be surprised at all if the Flames finished out of the Bottom five. The real tell as few have posted already will be goaltending. If Kipper stays there likely won't be much to worry about. If he goes we will have to hope that Ramo comes over and gives a consistent effort night in and night out. And that Berra/MacDonald can win a few games when called upon as well.

As long as we're running with Ramo/Berra/McDonald we're a bottom dweller for next season.